New data from JustWatch, compiled from three years of Christmas viewing behaviour across millions of U.S. users, offers a revealing snapshot of how Americans consume entertainment during the holiday season.
Christmas remains one of the most competitive and tradition-driven periods in streaming. Viewer behaviour spikes sharply as families return to familiar favourites — films that evoke nostalgia, comfort, and shared rituals. Rather than chasing novelty, audiences consistently press play on the same titles year after year.
The Top 10 Most Rewatched Christmas Movies
The rankings show just how dramatically certain films rise during December, reflecting their enduring emotional pull and cultural relevance.
At the top of the list, Elf once again claims the title of America’s most-rewatched holiday movie. Its dominance speaks to rare cross-generational appeal: children discover it for the first time, while adults revisit it for its mix of humour, warmth, and sincere holiday spirit. The consistency of its performance firmly positions Elf as a modern Christmas classic.
In second place, Die Hard continues to defy convention. Its enduring popularity highlights a growing appetite for alternative holiday viewing — where festive themes serve as a backdrop to action, suspense, and high-energy storytelling. Long debated as a “Christmas movie,” its sustained rewatching settles the question where it matters most: audience behaviour.
Tradition Christmas Movies Still Wins
Classic titles such as Home Alone (#3) and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (#5) continue to trigger nostalgia-driven viewing spikes. These films are deeply embedded in holiday rituals, often watched while decorating the house, gathering with family, or counting down to Christmas Day.
Their performance underscores the power of familiarity. Viewers return not just for the story, but for the comfort of iconic scenes, quotable lines, and characters that feel inseparable from the season itself.
Christmas Movies: Romance Holds Its Place
Romantic holiday films also perform strongly. Love Actually (#8) and The Holiday (#9) remain perennial favourites, appealing to viewers seeking emotional warmth, humour, and escapism. Their steady upward momentum reflects the enduring appeal of romance during a season defined by connection and sentiment.
What the Data Reveals
Overall, the Top 10 list highlights a diverse mix of genres — family comedies, romance, action, and classic holiday fare — showing that U.S. holiday viewing habits are more varied than ever. Yet they’re all united by a common thread: comfort.
Viewer choices are shaped by tradition, nostalgia, and evolving cultural tastes, with audiences embracing both established favourites and unconventional classics.
For anyone planning holiday or end-of-year content, this data provides a timely look at what Americans truly love to watch — and why certain films continue to dominate screens every December.
So grab a blanket, your favourite snacks, and settle in. Chances are, one of these holiday staples is already waiting in your queue.
When news breaks that feels unbearably close to home, the body often reacts before the mind has time to make sense of it. In the wake of the Bondi shooting, many people – particularly within the tight-knit Jewish community directly affected – have described the same feelings: fear that lingers, a sense of vulnerability in public places, racing thoughts late at night, and an overwhelming helplessness.
Even if you weren’t physically there, trauma doesn’t require proximity. Watching events unfold, worrying about loved ones, or recognising yourself in the places and routines affected can be enough to unsettle your sense of safety. In moments like this, technology can feel like part of the problem – endless news alerts, constant updates – but it can also be part of the support system, offering grounding, understanding and moments of calm when emotions feel too heavy to carry alone.
Mental health apps and digital tools aren’t a replacement for professional care or community support, but they can help you regulate, reflect and breathe through the worst moments – especially when fear spikes suddenly or sleep feels impossible.
MoodKit – for when your thoughts won’t stop spiralling
After traumatic events, thoughts can loop endlessly: What if I’d been there? What if it happens again? Why don’t I feel safe anymore? MoodKit is based on cognitive behavioural therapy and helps interrupt those spirals gently. It encourages you to notice anxious thinking patterns without judgement and offers structured exercises to help soften their intensity. The mood diary can also be helpful when emotions feel confusing or contradictory — numb one moment, overwhelmed the next.
Talkspace – for speaking to a real human, right now
Sometimes, what you need most is to tell someone exactly how shaken you feel. Talkspace connects users with licensed mental health professionals via messaging or live sessions. For people affected by community trauma, quick access to professional support can be critical — especially if anxiety, grief or fear is starting to interfere with daily life.
Headspace – for creating calm when your mind feels loud
In the days after traumatic news, stillness can feel almost impossible. Headspace offers short, guided meditations that don’t require experience or emotional clarity. Even a few minutes of focused breathing can help your nervous system step out of fight-or-flight mode. The app also includes specific content for anxiety, grief and sleep, which can be particularly helpful when your body is exhausted but your thoughts won’t slow down.
Smiling Mind – for gentle grounding and emotional regulation
Smiling Mind is an Australian-designed mindfulness app that focuses on building emotional resilience through simple, guided practices. After traumatic events, when your nervous system feels constantly “on edge”, its short, age-appropriate meditations can help create small moments of calm and predictability. It’s particularly useful if you’re feeling overwhelmed but don’t know where to begin with mindfulness..
MindShift CBT – for anxiety that feels new or unfamiliar
Traumatic events can introduce fears that weren’t there before, including hypervigilance or avoidance of public spaces. MindShift CBT is designed to support people experiencing anxiety, panic and fear-based thinking. Tools like coping cards and thought journals can help you challenge catastrophic thoughts and build safer mental routines during uncertain times.
Quit That! – for noticing coping habits without shame
In the aftermath of distressing news, it’s common to lean harder on habits that numb emotions – whether that’s smoking, scrolling, or other behaviours that offer short-term relief. Quit That! helps users track habits compassionately, making it easier to recognise when coping strategies are starting to cause more stress rather than soothe it.
Mood Mission – for when motivation feels impossible
When trauma drains your energy, even basic self-care can feel out of reach. Mood Mission takes a practical approach by suggesting small, achievable “missions” based on how you’re feeling — anxious, flat, stressed or overwhelmed. These gentle prompts can help you take action without pressure, offering a sense of movement and agency at a time when everything may feel stuck.
Calm – for rest when your body won’t switch off
Sleep disruption is common after traumatic events. Calm offers guided meditations, breathing exercises and narrated stories designed to help the nervous system relax. When your body is tense and alert, having something soothing to listen to can make rest feel more attainable.
ChatGPT – for processing thoughts when you don’t know where to start
When your thoughts feel tangled or you don’t feel ready to speak to someone you know, using a tool like ChatGPT can help you organise what you’re feeling. Some people use it to write out fears they can’t yet say aloud, ask questions about trauma responses, or simply feel heard in a non-judgemental space. While it’s not a therapist, it can be a stepping stone toward clarity when emotions feel overwhelming.
Audiobooks – for understanding trauma and feeling less alone
Listening to audiobooks can be deeply comforting during periods of distress, especially when reading feels too demanding. Titles such as The Body Keeps the Score help explain why trauma affects the body and mind the way it does, offering validation to feelings that may otherwise feel frightening or isolating. Audiobooks can also provide a gentle sense of companionship — a calm voice reminding you that what you’re experiencing is human and shared.
A gentle reminder
If the Bondi shooting has left you feeling unsafe, shaken, or unable to function as you normally would, your reaction is valid. Trauma does not only belong to those who were physically present – it ripples through communities, families and identities.
Technology can’t undo what happened. But used intentionally, it can offer moments of grounding, understanding and connection – helping you breathe through the fear, regain a sense of steadiness, and remind you that you don’t have to carry this alone
Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support anyone who needs someone to talk to.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community and all those immediately affected. We stand in solidarity with everyone impacted by this tragedy and reaffirm that hatred, antisemitism, and violence have no place in our communities.
If you thought bananas were just for smoothies and slapstick comedy, think again. Google is here to peel back the future of image creation with its latest AI powerhouse: Google Nano Banana Pro. Building on the Gemini 3 Pro architecture, this upgrade delivers a fully-ripened creative revolution for anyone who’s ever wished their imagination could be instantly brought to life.
Peeling Back the Layers
Remember Nano Banana? The model that let casual creators restore photos, generate mini figurines, and generally have a blast turning ideas into visuals? Nano Banana Pro cranks the dial up to eleven. With enhanced reasoning, real-world knowledge, and cutting-edge world grounding, it doesn’t just create beautiful images – it helps you communicate, teach, and tell stories with precision. Think infographics for your favourite recipes, pop-art weather reports, or even storyboards for your next indie film – all in a matter of clicks.
Going Bananas with Text
One of the most impressive upgrades? Text. Whether you’re crafting a tagline, translating your campaign across multiple languages, or embedding nuanced paragraphs in your visuals, Nano Banana Pro handles it all. Fonts, textures, calligraphy – you name it. Your content not only looks stunning but reads beautifully, no matter where you share it.
Ready to ripe and roll
Nano Banana Pro doesn’t just generate images; it lets you sculpt them. Adjust lighting from day to night, shift focus between subjects, tweak camera angles, and even blend multiple elements into a single cinematic frame. Want a high-fashion editorial shot in the desert featuring five people and a dog, perfectly consistent in identity and outfit? Done. Fancy a surreal sunset that combines a gown, plants, and a chair into one seamless composition? Easy. The world of creative control is now in your hands.
The fruit of your labour
Consumers & students: Access Nano Banana Pro in the Gemini app under the ‘Thinking’ toggle, or via AI Mode in Search if you’re a Google AI Pro subscriber.
Professionals: From Google Slides to Ads, Nano Banana Pro is elevating everything from presentations to campaigns.
Developers & enterprises: Build, scale, and innovate via Gemini API, AI Studio, Antigravity, Vertex AI, and soon Gemini Enterprise.
Creatives & filmmakers: Ultra subscribers in Flow now have unprecedented precision over every frame and scene.
Google isn’t just giving you next-level tools; it’s giving you confidence. All AI-generated images carry the imperceptible SynthID watermark, so you’ll always know what’s AI-made. Free-tier and Pro users still get the visible sparkle watermark, while Ultra subscribers enjoy clean, professional visuals.
Nano Banana Pro isn’t just a new toy – it’s a bridge between imagination and reality. From casual doodlers to global advertisers, from students visualising concepts to filmmakers framing their next masterpiece, this AI model makes it easier than ever to go from “what if” to “wow.”
So, whether you’re whipping up an infographic for your chai obsession, designing a multi-character editorial shot, or just playing with futuristic sunsets, Nano Banana Pro is ready to peel your ideas into perfection.
When M’Shenda Turner talks about fire, it’s clear she speaks from both the front line and the data dashboard. A volunteer firefighter with 17 years’ experience, M’Shenda has blended her passion for environmental science with cutting-edge technology to reshape how Australia responds to disasters – most appropriately at at the start of another sweltering Australian Summer, bushfire season.
“I was always the kid poking the campfire (still am for that matter). And I’ve always had a respectful appreciation of fire,” she recalls. Moving to the Blue Mountains as a teenager, she watched the Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades work tirelessly and collaboratively. “They worked hard together as a team, were exhausted, but their passion was clear and joining was always in the back of mind. The catalyst came in 2008. I was in investment management after the great financial crisis (GFC), I was mentally exhausted, and I needed a purpose. I had a light-bulb moment ‘oh yeah, the RFS!’ So, I called straight away and joined a Northern Beaches Brigade, and I’ve never looked back.”
Her journey didn’t stop at the fireground. Combining hands-on firefighting with a Master of Sustainable Agriculture, M’Shenda bridges practical experience and scientific knowledge. “Working in finance, I felt the academic theory hadn’t caught up with what we were seeing in the markets across the globe. My time with the RFS, especially in regional NSW sparked a curiosity about the broader world. So, I returned to university part-time and completed a Master of Sustainable Agriculture. Agriculture is an amazing field – it’s a blend of biology, geology, physics, chemistry, economics, geography, philosophy, sustainability, and climate.”
Seventeen years in the RFS has left her energised rather than worn down. “Time has flown. The life experiences are invaluable, the lifelong friends I have made, and the knowledge that I am contributing to my community,” she says. And, with bushfire season in Australia leaving thousands of hectares scorched and communities disrupted each year, her work has never been more vital.
Now, M’Shenda is harnessing AI and location intelligence to make disaster response smarter and faster. “What we provide is close to real-time aerial imagery. This is so users – from homeowners to city councils to emergency departments and insurers – can see and assess what is happening on the ground, in granular detail safely after a disaster has struck. We use location intelligence and AI layers – identifying vegetation density, roof type, and proximity to assets – to generate a peril vulnerability score for properties. By knowing who and where is most vulnerable, authorities can pre-position resources and fortify structures, translating directly into saved lives and dramatically reduced damage.”
Volunteer firefighter M’Shenda Turner is using tech and AI to protect communities and champion women in STEM during bushfire season.
Yet for M’Shenda, data is never divorced from experience. “The human element is the beginning, centre and end of the entire data chain. While we can precisely quantify disaster impact and vulnerability, you can never forget the reality. The experience of fighting a fire gives me a glimpse into how fire behaves and how unpredictable it can be.
When combined with aerial imagery, historical data, and location intelligence that Nearmap offers, it allows us to build a solution that is practical and make an impact on the communities around us. Not to mention, having seen the faces of families who have lost everything or watched their house go up, you understand that this is real life and not just a data point.”
The challenges of merging tech and real-world disasters are significant. “The biggest challenges are timeliness and accessibility; the best data is useless if it can’t be actioned instantly. A common mistake is authorities relying on siloed datasets. Tech, especially location intelligence, solves this by ensuring everyone operates from a single source of truth, providing near real-time decision support. Our AI layers can show precise historical damage footprints for better pre-planning, greatly enhancing transparency and building resilience long before the disaster strikes.”
She cites the 2019–2020 bushfires as a pivotal moment. “We were able to capture the impact of the fires. More than 30,000 square kilometres of burnt areas – through detailed imagery. This offers us invaluable insights, allowing experts to look back, model, and learn about fire behaviour that had never been seen before, drastically informing future strategies.”
Looking forward, M’Shenda is optimistic about the role of technology in keeping communities safe. “The accessibility of emergency warnings and updates via apps like Hazards Near Me are invaluable. Preparation and communication are life savers. Any innovation that improves these two vital functions is what excites me most and what will keep communities safe.” If she could make one immediate change, it would be “a single data management platform that all agencies use, all based on the same real-time source of truth that allows true and instant collaboration.”
A vocal advocate for women in STEM, M’Shenda wants young women to understand that career paths aren’t linear. “A lesson from my life is that you don’t even need to start in STEM. I used my skills in finance and life experience to make the pivot in my career – do not underestimate what you know. STEM is fascinating, broad, rewarding, and vitally important to how we all live now and into the future. As disasters in Australia get more frequent and severe; we need all curious and active brains, and diverse experiences that we can get involved in order to build a resilient country for generations to come.”
Challenges in high-stakes fields haven’t deterred her. “I’m capable, strong, confident, and know a thing or two about the world around us. Self-confidence and awareness are key, so is not walking in with a chip on your shoulder. There are learning opportunities at every turn. Don’t jump to ‘they aren’t listening to me because I’m a female’ as your first instinct, is there another way to present your point of view? A different format or a style of conversation? Is a different time more appropriate?
This is an important life skill for any place where you are dealing with people. That’s not to say you won’t come up against it – find a mentor, talk to trusted colleagues, don’t let other people’s antiquated bias get in your way. This is your world, not theirs.”
Her resilience comes from perspective and humour. “My sense of humour gets me through; life doesn’t always need to be so serious. In the greater scheme of things, we are a collective bunch of atoms functioning in the most miraculous way. Appreciate life and the universe when you can. The one lesson from firefighting? Always look up. On the fireground, we must always look up to check danger from falling branches—that’s my life lesson.”
Outside of work, M’Shenda finds balance in simple joys. “I’m a proud fur mum of two cocker spaniels. They are an endless source of joy and love that neutralises any stress. A daily walk with them forces me to slow down – they sniff everything! My routine is a mix: morning yoga and strength training sessions throughout the week, which are massive for my mood and concentration.
I also train in Shaolin Kung Fu forms, which is great for brain and body. When I walk or commute, I switch off and let my mind wander. To my friends’ dismay, I have actually never listened to a podcast, but I do enjoy a familiar read. From re-reading Harry Potter and Hunger Games or spy action novels where I pretend I’d be cool, suave, and collected saving the world. In reality, I would be tripping over and getting lost – and I’m totally fine with that.”
Above all, M’Shenda is motivated by curiosity and impact. “We are living in an extraordinary time; the tools to make us more efficient and smarter are changing so fast that the motivation is almost served up without even looking. My drive comes from staying curious and engaged in everything I do. We only get one shot at this life, keep making a difference, and you’ve done well.”
For M’Shenda Turner, firefighting isn’t just a job, and tech isn’t just tools. Together, they are the frontier where courage meets innovation. And, where women in STEM are shaping safer, stronger communities for everyone.
We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of capturing the perfect sunset, recording a crucial presentation, or filming content for your side hustle when the dreaded notification hits: Storage Full.
Today, we rely on the cloud for almost everything, and it’s easy to forget that “the cloud” is really just someone else’s computer. Only it’s one that requires a strong signal and a monthly subscription to work. For the working woman on the go, relying solely on an internet connection is risky and it’s also creative buzzkill.
That is why physical storage is making a massive comeback. It is “tech gear” that gives you peace of mind and it fits in your pocket.
If you have upgraded to the iPhone 16 like me (or any recent model), the brand-new SanDisk Creator Series Phone SSD is about to become your best friend.
This isn’t the clunky external hard drive of the past. It features MagSafe compatibility, meaning it snaps magnetically onto the back of your phone. No awkward cables dangling while you try to get the shot. You can plug it in and record high-res video (like 4K ProRes) directly onto the drive. It effectively turns your phone into a professional mobile production rig, letting you shoot all day without deleting a single photo of your dog to make space.
The Rugged “Workhorse”
For those of us who treat our tech a little rough, tossing it into tote bags alongside water bottles and keys; there is the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD (E61).
I call this the “workhorse” of my daily carry. It is water, dust, and drop-resistant, which means it survives the coffee shop spills and the rainy commute. With transfer speeds that are lightning-fast, you can edit large video files or backup your entire laptop library in minutes, not hours. It’s small, stylish, and incredibly tough.
Portable storage is ideal just like this SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
The Quick Fix
Sometimes, you just need a simple backup without the fuss. The SanDisk Phone Drive is perfect for this. It plugs directly into your charging port (available for both iPhone and Android) to perform a hard backup of your photos and contacts. It is the perfect solution for when you’re traveling with spotty reception but want to ensure your memories are safe.
Whether you are dusting off a digital camera (yes, SD cards are back in fashion!) or shooting content on your phone, physical storage is the tech that quietly powers your process. It ensures your best moments aren’t lost to a glitching server or a full camera roll, giving you the freedom to just keep creating.
And let’s face it none of us want to get caught out this Christmas.
Does your Instagram Reels feed feel like a chaotic mix of random viral trends rather than the inspiring content you actually signed up for? For years, we’ve been passive passengers on the algorithmic journey, letting a “black box” of code decide our digital diet based on accidental clicks or how long we hovered over a video.
But that is about to change. In a major win for digital wellness and user control, Meta is rolling out a new feature that finally lets you look under the hood. No longer just a passive viewer, you can now access a specific “topics” menu—identified by a new icon featuring two lines and hearts—to actively curate what you see.
From Passive Viewer to Creative Director
Most of us have experienced the confusion of opening Instagram and wondering why certain things show up in our feeds. Or worse, the “vacation effect”—where a single search for a trip to Paris results in a feed completely overwhelmed by travel deals and French pastries for weeks.
Previously, the only way to fix this was to aggressively swipe past content you didn’t like and hope the app took the hint. Now, Instagram is removing the guesswork.
When you access the new controls, Instagram will transparently show you what it understands about your interests based on what you watch, share, and like. If the app thinks you love “Motorcycles” when you actually love “Modern Art,” you can finally correct the record.
Perhaps even more surprising, Instagram is making this curation social. You will soon be able to share your algorithm—or at least the interests you’ve curated—in a Story post, allowing you to show your friends exactly what “vibes” you are currently into.
Actionable Advice: How to Reset Your Vibe
Ready to clear out the clutter and make your feed a safer, more inspiring space? Here is exactly how to find the new menu and start curating.
1. The “Soft Reset”: Tweaking Your ReelsBest for: When you like your feed generally, but want to steer it in a better direction.
Open the Reels Tab: Tap the video icon at the bottom of your Instagram app.
Look for the “Hearts” Icon: In the header, look for a new icon that resembles two sliding lines topped with hearts.
Enter “Your Algorithm”: Tapping this opens a dashboard showing your current interest profile.
Edit Your Interests: You will see a list of topics. Simply tap to see “More” or “Less” of specific categories. You can even type in new interests manually (e.g., “Sustainable Tech,” “Coding,” or “Interior Design”) to force the algorithm to prioritize them.
2. The “Nuclear Option”: Starting FreshBest for: When your feed feels completely broken or toxic and you want a blank slate.
Go to your Profile and tap the three lines (menu) in the top right.
Scroll down to the “What you see” section.
Tap Content Preferences > Reset Suggested Content.
Note: This will wipe Instagram’s memory of your preferences, making your feed look generic for a few days until it relearns the “new you.”
In Other Meta News
While algorithm control is the biggest headline for our digital well-being, Meta is also rolling out a few creative tools to keep an eye on:
Restyle AI: A new tool that allows you to reimagine your photos using generative AI—perfect for creatives looking to add a unique artistic flair to their Stories.
Vibes: Meta’s latest feature for creating and remixing AI videos, adding another layer to how we create and share content.
Ad Transparency: Be aware that your chats with Meta AI will now start influencing the ads you see across Facebook and Instagram. If you use the AI assistant to plan a dinner party, expect to see ads for cookware shortly after.
Instagram says the new Reels algorithm control is rolling out across the US today and will hit global markets soon.
Will you be using this to clean up your feed? Let us know what “topics” you are adding (or removing!)
If your weeknight dinners have been short of a little spice, a new cooking podcast is here to turn up the heat — and maybe your flirt factor. Think of it as a little rom-com for your taste buds. One that’s equal parts sizzling recipes and saucy storytelling. By the time I hit play, my frying pan was working overtime… and so was my grin.
Voiced by comedian Nikki Osborne, Plates of Passion by Everyplate is a six-part spicy audio recipe series that is part storytelling, part kitchen seduction.
Each episode is under five minutes, pairing fuss-free recipes with playful, tongue-in-cheek narration. I followed along with Honey Sesame Halloumi Tacos in “The Softest Touch” and Sticky American BBQ Chicken Tacos in “Heat in Your Hands,” and can confirm I was melting faster than butter on a hot skillet.
There’s something special about listening while cooking. Osborne’s cheeky energy practically bounced off my frying pan. By the time I sprinkled sesame seeds on my cheese, I was laughing, blushing, and sneaking tastes — all while thinking, “Who knew a podcast could make weeknight dinner feel so scandalously fun?”
Osborne sums it up perfectly: “If I can help to bring more sizzle and a healthy dose of double entendres to Aussie kitchens through Plates of Passion, then summer will be a bit hotter for all of us, pun intended.” And she’s right — the podcast makes even simple ingredients feel sexy, playful, and indulgent.
EveryPlate calls it “sizzle lit,” and that’s exactly what it is. Short, accessible, and surprisingly steamy, it’s a fuss-free way to cook while being entertained. Upcoming episodes promise more temptations: steak with creamy onion sauce, Vietnamese-style pork with garlic rice, sesame katsu chicken with noodles, and more honey sesame halloumi tacos. Honestly, the anticipation of the next episode might be the best part.
So, grab your headphones, stir with abandon, and let Plates of Passion turn your weeknight meal into a cheeky kitchen adventure. Warning: you might blush, giggle, and eat faster than usual. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
The new Dyson x Porter collaboration is the kind of rarity you feel the moment you lay eyes on it. A limited-edition shoulder bag, designed around Dyson’s OnTrac headphones. Limited to only 380 in the world. Holding it is an experience: the weight, the texture, the quiet confidence it exudes. This is not a bag you carry; it carries you — your taste, your discernment, your refusal to settle for anything ordinary. Every line, every stitch, every contour has been conceived with the precision of an heirloom and the intent of a collector’s piece.
Luxury, in this case, is in the pause. Porter’s Japanese craftsmanship, meticulous and reverent, meets Dyson’s engineering exactitude to create an object that feels inevitable once encountered. Jake Dyson, chief engineer at Dyson, calls it “an object you cherish — something that merges engineering precision with design.” And indeed, it is the kind of collaboration that makes you reach for it not just to own it, but to treasure it — a wearable manifesto of refinement and aspiration.
Crafted for Beauty and Purpose
Every Porter shoulder bag is hand-assembled in Japan, composed of 77 thoughtfully considered components, each one chosen for function, texture, and aesthetic harmony. The external headphone holder is sculptural yet discreet, while the compact navy silhouette, accented with Porter’s signature orange and khaki, balances utility with streetwise elegance. A resin “tech slice” dangles, encapsulating sketches and components from the OnTrac headphones’ development — a miniature diary of creation. And every bag is numbered, each a rare piece in a collection that is as much about desire as it is design.
The OnTrac headphones themselves are engineered with the same devotion. Their contours, weight, and cushioning are calibrated for effortless wear, while the acoustics deliver a listening experience that feels intimate yet expansive. They are objects meant to be used, yet treasured — designed for the city, for the café, for the quiet moments in between, all while feeling quietly luxurious in every detail.
Low Key Lux
Subtlety is luxury. The anodised headphone caps carry Porter’s emblem, playfully reimagined wearing OnTrac headphones. The navy bag punctuated with orange and khaki exudes a quiet sophistication, while over 2,000 possible color combinations for ear cushions and caps allow each owner to make the headphones their own. Together, the bag and headphones transcend functionality. They are statements of intention, extensions of personal style, and testaments to the belief that what we carry can speak as eloquently as the clothes we wear.
A Limited Edition Legacy
Porter, under Yoshida & Co., has been perfecting bags since 1962, guided by the philosophy of putting “heart and soul into every stitch.” Dyson’s obsession with engineering precision represents the other end of the spectrum: futurism rendered in tactile form. In their collaboration, heritage meets innovation, craft meets high-tech, and the result is an object that feels simultaneously timeless and resolutely modern.
Owning one of the 380 Dyson x Porter pieces is more than exclusivity; it is participation in an intimate narrative of design. A bag that carries more than headphones, and headphones that exist as objects of desire. Dyson and Porter have not merely collaborated — they have created a collectible, a ritual, a rare luxury that transforms the everyday into something measured, deliberate, and utterly aspirational. In a world of fleeting collaborations, this one lingers: elevated, intentional, and undeniably stylish.
Some phones are practical. Some headphones are functional. And then there are those rare pieces that do more than perform — they shine, literally, and instantly elevate everything around them. Enter the Swarovski x Motorola Brilliant Collection. This is not tech you hide in your bag; it’s tech you wear like jewellery, an accessory that sparkles, commands attention, and whispers glamour with every glance.
From icy Pantone Ice Melt finishes to precisely placed Swarovski crystals, this is a collection that makes a statement: luxury and innovation can coexist, and personal technology can be as covetable as the rest of your wardrobe.
Fashion meets function … crystal by crystal
The Swarovski x Motorola Brilliant Collection is the newest chapter in Motorola’s Collections series, where design, collaboration, and meticulous craftsmanship intersect. This edition introduces two hero pieces to Australia: the Moto buds loop with Sound by Bose and a special-edition Motorola razr 60, each accented with Swarovski crystals and finished in ethereal Ice Melt.
It is a union that feels inevitable: Motorola’s technological mastery meeting Swarovski’s heritage of brilliance. As Praveena Raman, Head of Motorola Australia and New Zealand, notes, both brands share a “passion deeply rooted in innovation, craftsmanship and iconic heritage.” The result is technology reimagined as couture, where every detail is deliberate and every line purposeful.
The Moto buds loop: Sound that sparkles
Making its Australian debut, the Moto buds loop with Sound by Bose are Motorola’s first open-ear earbuds — and the most glamorous on the market. With Swarovski crystals catching the light and an icy Pantone Ice Melt finish, these buds let you enjoy music, podcasts, and calls without ever losing awareness of your surroundings.
Beyond the beauty lies serious performance:
Sound by Bose delivers perfectly tuned audio
12mm ironless drivers for rich, nuanced sound
Spatial sound technology creates a multidimensional listening experience
CrystalTalk AI and dual microphones ensure crystal-clear calls
Up to 8 hours of battery life, 37 with the case
Water-repellent durability for life on the move
Seamless connectivity with select Motorola devices allows access to Moto AI voice commands and effortless switching through Smart Connect, proving that luxury can coexist with functionality.
The Motorola Razr 60: Couture in the palm of your hand
If any device was destined for Swarovski, it’s the iconic Razr. The special-edition Motorola Razr 60 transforms the classic flip silhouette into a couture object: a leather-inspired 3D quilted finish, icy Ice Melt tones, and 35 hand-placed Swarovski crystals, including a large 26-facet gem on the hinge. Even the volume keys glimmer with crystal-inspired detail, completing the look.
Inside, the Razr 60 remains everything we love:
50MP camera system with Moto AI integration for stunning photography
3.6-inch external display for instant app access
Flexible clamshell design that evokes nostalgia while radiating sophistication
Where the original Razr turned heads, this edition stops the room. It is a piece that belongs in a clutch, on a vanity, or simply in your hand — a subtle yet undeniable sign of taste.
A new era of lifestyle luxury
The Swarovski x Motorola Brilliant Collection embodies both brands’ vision of technology as wearable culture. Each collection tells a story — a theme, a collaboration, a statement. This Swarovski partnership is just the first in Australia, hinting at a future where personal tech not only performs but also dazzles, making every device a reflection of style, aspiration, and individuality.
Luxury, style, and innovation converge in a collection that doesn’t whisper — it sparkles. Motorola x Swarovski proves that technology can be desirable, wearable, and utterly covetable, one crystal at a time.
If you’ve been anywhere near a teen in the past few weeks, you might have heard a lot of worried sighs, frantic scrolling, and the occasional dramatic, “But how will I survive without TikTok?” Australia’s new social media restrictions for under-16s officially land tomorrow. And as a result, social media ban confusion reigns supreme.
The ban, which will cone into effect on 10 December 2025, restricts all users under 16 from holding accounts on major platforms. These include TikTok, Instagram, Threads, and Facebook. While the aim is to protect young people from harmful content, body image pressures, and the relentless comparison game, many teens are struggling to understand what this really means for their day-to-day lives. Case in point: a 14-year-old recently asked the Butterfly Foundation, Australia’s national charity for eating disorders and body image concerns, if he would still be able to call his mum after the ban. Cue collective parental eye-roll and a very real moment of “oh wow, this is more complicated than we thought.”
It’s Not Just a Switch-Off
Butterfly Foundation’s Director of Education Initiatives, Danni Rowlands, points out that the ban isn’t a magic fix. “While delaying access is one step aimed to protect young people, it doesn’t remove the problem. Harmful content will still be visible once 16-year-olds regain access,” she says. “As young people’s social media world goes quiet for now, we must take the opportunity to give them protective skills that will last a lifetime.”
In other words, the screens may be off, but the pressures remain. Video-sharing sites, influencer content, private group chats – these spaces are still alive and kicking, and sometimes they’re even more intense. Teens may still consume content that shapes their views on bodies, beauty, and health. They might just be doing it more secretly now.
Why Parents Need to Stay Alert
Helen Bird, Butterfly’s Head of Prevention, warns that the ban could leave some teens feeling uncertain or anxious. “This ban is likely to leave some young people feeling uncertain and anxious as their usual routines and habits disappear overnight. It’s important for adults to stay open and curious as to how young people are feeling and being impacted. Communication is key,” she says.
She also flags the risk of disordered eating behaviours emerging as teens try to regain a sense of control in a world that suddenly feels restricted. For parents, carers, and educators, the key is vigilance – knowing the warning signs, validating feelings, and intervening early if needed.
Digital Literacy is the real MVP
While screens might be temporarily quieter, this is the perfect moment to focus on building critical digital skills. Danni Rowlands stresses the importance of guiding teens to navigate appearance-based content, beauty and health ideals, AI, misinformation, algorithms, and online safety features. These skills aren’t just useful while the ban is in place – they’re essential for life online.
Butterfly’s BodyKind Online Education program specifically equips secondary students with media literacy skills and self-compassion. Early feedback from years 7 and 8 students shows that it really works: “It made me feel better about myself,” said one student, while another added, “[It taught me] to never compare myself to others.”
The program also includes resources for parents and carers, helping adults guide their teens through this unprecedented digital shift. Danni encourages families to recommend BodyKind Online Education to their child’s school and use the free parent resources to help navigate safer social media habits long-term.
Tips for Navigating Social Media Ban Confusion
So, what can parents do while their teens’ social media feeds go quiet? Here are some practical pointers for navigating the social media ban confusion :
Explain the restrictions early. Don’t wait until the ban hits to talk about what it means.
Know their online world. Keep track of the accounts, pages, and influencers shaping your teen’s views on fashion, eating, training, and lifestyle habits.
Validate feelings. Avoid dismissive phrases like “you’ll be alright” or “it’s for your own good.” Instead, acknowledge that this is a real adjustment.
Check coping strategies, If your teen is struggling, identify how they’re managing. If these strategies aren’t positive, seek professional support early.
Model healthy behaviour. Limit your own social media use and prioritise in-person connection. Teens notice when adults are walking the talk.
Remember: social media isn’t the only influence. Teens will still encounter harmful messages in other spaces, so building digital literacy skills through programs like BodyKind is key.
The Butterfly Foundation’s Christmas appeal campaign, Kids are growing up online, aims to raise awareness of the impact of social media on young people and support programs like BodyKind Online Education. You can find out more or contribute at protect-kids.butterfly.org.au.
In the end, it’s not about completely shielding teens from the digital world. It’s about equipping them with the tools, skills, and confidence to navigate it safely – whether they’re online, offline, or somewhere in between. And yes, reassuringly, a 14-year-old can still call his mum.
Help and Support
Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact:
Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or visit www.butterfly.org.au to chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST/AEDT).
